Ian Martin: Journey into Disability Cricket, Development of the Sport, and Aspirations for the Future

Slogging It

This week, Ian Martin, an icon of cricket and disability cricket, speaks about his personal journey, the challenges he encountered, and his subsequent involvement in disability cricket. He reflects on the transition from his early connection with the sport, through his career in the Navy, to his lower limb disability that led him to give up playing. Martin also recounts his determination to remain involved in the sport led him to start using a wheelchair to play, get involved with the ECB as head of disability Cricket, and eventually pen down his experiences in his book 'How Cricket Saved My Life'. The conversation further delves into the landscape of disability cricket, the success it has achieved, and the innovations and potential changes in the future. Martin expresses his hopes for more inclusiveness, equal opportunities, and acceptance for players with disabilities, revealing his aspiration for the first centrally contracted disability cricketer by 2030.

Buy How Cricket Saved My Life here

00:08 Introduction and Guest Introduction

00:39 Guest's Early Life and Introduction to Cricket

01:31 Joining the Navy and Experiences

04:17 Impact of Gulf War and Health Challenges

05:56 Dealing with Disability and Leaving the Navy

10:00 Rediscovering Cricket and Overcoming Challenges

14:52 Transition into Disability Cricket Management

18:20 Writing a Book and Sharing Personal Experiences

29:47 Discussing the Shift in Awareness and Attitudes Toward Disabilities

30:21 The Persistence of Prejudice and Bias

31:40 The Impact of Societal Pressure on Discrimination

32:05 The Role of 'Woke' Culture in Disability Discrimination

33:04 The Journey of Disability Cricket at the ECB

33:31 The Aspirations and Challenges of Disability Cricket

34:59 The Success of the Disability Premier League

35:34 Reflecting on the Progress of the England LD Setup

35:52 The Struggles and Triumphs of the Learning Disability Trier

38:16 The Potential for Global Scaling of Disability Cricket

40:06 The Importance of Inclusivity in Cricket

42:43 The Challenges and Opportunities in Growing Disability Cricket

46:37 Success Stories in Disability Cricket

54:37 The Future of Disability Cricket

58:14 Advice for Youngsters with Disabilities Interested in Cricket

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